KLUX seeks help for emergency system

A special two-day on-air fundraiser titled the "PowerThon" will begin tomorrow morning, Oct. 4, on KLUX 89.5HD featuring station personnel and special guests. Funds raised during the event will be designated to complete upgrades to the emergency power system at the station's studios located on Lantana Street.

The event is being given special impetus by $10,000 in matching funds which have been designated for the fundraiser and the project by the Dr. and Mrs. Hugh Kennedy Foundation of Corpus Christi. The Foundation's gift will match all monies raised during the event, dollar for dollar up to a total of $10,000, yielding a total of $20,000 for the project.

KLUX has a long-standing policy of service to the community during civil emergencies such as hurricanes, tornados, severe weather and chemical related incidents. The station was given the "Outstanding Media Award" by the city of Corpus Christi and the Emergency Managers Association of Texas during 2006 and has been a communications partner with the LEPC since 2000.

"Emergency power is crucial at both the studio and transmitter plants. The Transmitter site is well taken care of. While an emergency generator is currently available at the studio, new technologies and the increasing heat loads from the addition of new equipment, have strained the capabilities of the existing system, which has reached its capacity," FLUX station manager, Marty Wind said.

Earlier this year a large generator capable of powering the entire studio building was donated, and for the past several months station personnel and volunteers have been installing and overhauling that unit to prepare it for service. What remains is the purchase and installation of the emergency transfer switch and disconnects as well as the purchase and installation of automatic controls. The special on-air fundraiser goal of $10,000 together with the matching grant from the Kennedy Foundation will make that possible.

Donations to the project, which will be matched by the grant, may be phoned in during the "PowerThon" by calling (361) 289-6437. Major Credit Cards can also be utilized by calling in during the event or on the special "Powerthon" Web site page at http://klux.org/PowerThon.